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Going back into Europe

(118 Posts)
Bea65 Wed 05-Jul-23 12:56:10

What do you wise GNs think about the discussion on us going back into a single market.. will this help us with cost of living/recruitment/employment? . I voted against Brexit as worked and lived in Europe for 11pms and had better standard of living some 25 yrs ago -personally think a return would help us all.??

Bea65 Wed 05-Jul-23 13:01:01

11pms 🙃 11yrs

NotSpaghetti Wed 05-Jul-23 13:04:47

I would go back but think it's awkward (and would be a hard-sell now) as we won't get all the "extras" and "opt outs" that were hard won in years gone by.

Still think on balance it would be worth it to be honest.

FannyCornforth Wed 05-Jul-23 13:09:17

I think that it’s inevitable.
I also think that Starmer (Steer Calmer) will start talking about it if and when he gets a second term, or maybe even prior to that

nanna8 Wed 05-Jul-23 13:09:38

I doubt they would want the UK back by all accounts . A shame,though.

MiniMoon Wed 05-Jul-23 13:15:36

It would be very difficult to rejoin the EU I think. To begin with I expect the EU would insist upon UK using the euro as currency, something that most people would be opposed to. Also we would have to agree with the EU policy of open borders, how would that sit with the likes of Suella Braverman?

Mamie Wed 05-Jul-23 13:20:53

nanna8

I doubt they would want the UK back by all accounts . A shame,though.

I don't think that is true. I think given a new government and favourable opinion polls that there would be a more positive view from many EU leaders. Macron has already talked of an "outer circle" and I have no doubt he was including the possibility of the UK in that.
There would have to be a gradual re-alignment of legislation and policy, an end to damaging rhetoric and a demographic shift in favour, but I think given time, closer alignment will follow.

fancythat Wed 05-Jul-23 13:49:12

Go back into it again? No way.

Smileless2012 Wed 05-Jul-23 13:53:25

I think you're right MiniMoon, taking on the euro would be a huge stumbling block and open boarders wouldn't be popular with many either.

Visgir1 Wed 05-Jul-23 13:56:32

I voted stay in .. But now we are out I think we need to stick by it, things will change hopefully.

I don't think the EU as such will still be around in 10 years.

MaizieD Wed 05-Jul-23 13:59:31

Smileless2012

I think you're right MiniMoon, taking on the euro would be a huge stumbling block and open boarders wouldn't be popular with many either.

All you have to do is engage to 'work towards' joining the euro.Sweden has been doing it for along time now, apparently..

Losing our sovereign currency would be a huge mistake.

Apart from that I'd say 'rejoin' like a shot.

Urmstongran Wed 05-Jul-23 14:04:00

I hope we don’t rejoin under any circumstances.

If we did under Starmer make the right noises, I think the EU would demand we accept the euro as a condition of renewed membership.

Lyndylou Wed 05-Jul-23 14:19:50

When did we leave Europe? I feel just as European as I always have, including before we joined the EU and I was living and working in Germany in the early 70s.

As for rejoining the EU, I voted to stay purely because I thought the biggest threat was Russia and that we would be safer in the EU than out. How has that turned out? I would not vote to return, I think the EU may well implode in the next 10 years. Also I would hate taking on the Euro.

I always said I am more than happy to be part of an European Union, just not this particular one.

Siope Wed 05-Jul-23 14:22:32

The EU doesn’t just make up separate rules to ‘punish’ individual countries.

Anyway delighted to see that we are set to rejoin both Horizon Europe and the Copernicus Earth observation programme very shortly.

MaizieD Wed 05-Jul-23 14:36:04

As for rejoining the EU, I voted to stay purely because I thought the biggest threat was Russia and that we would be safer in the EU than out. How has that turned out?

I'm not sure that you're making the point that you think you are.

Russia worked pretty hard to help detach the UK from the EU. It has even infiltrated the highest level of our political system. I think it sees that it could do it to other EU nations.

Though the solidarity of support for Ukraine may have shocked it a bit.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 14:40:25

I think that we will inevitably have to “work closer” in order to save our economy, and pretty soon, whether a Tory or Labour government.

However re-joining is a way off yet I think.

MayBee70 Wed 05-Jul-23 14:40:49

Lyndylou

When did we leave Europe? I feel just as European as I always have, including before we joined the EU and I was living and working in Germany in the early 70s.

As for rejoining the EU, I voted to stay purely because I thought the biggest threat was Russia and that we would be safer in the EU than out. How has that turned out? I would not vote to return, I think the EU may well implode in the next 10 years. Also I would hate taking on the Euro.

I always said I am more than happy to be part of an European Union, just not this particular one.

I think the UK leaving the EU helped Putins decision to invade Ukraine because we weren’t showing a united front.

Norah Wed 05-Jul-23 15:05:32

I voted to stay, doubt we'll rejoin in my life, though I pray to rejoin.

Mamie Wed 05-Jul-23 15:10:18

Whitewavemark2

I think that we will inevitably have to “work closer” in order to save our economy, and pretty soon, whether a Tory or Labour government.

However re-joining is a way off yet I think.

I agree. Closer alignment to make trading easier, put life back into small businesses, widen opportunities for participation in educational and scientific initiatives - why would anyone want to prevent that?

pascal30 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:41:30

I belong to the European Movement and would support rejoining.. I voted remain and have signed the Rejoin EU petition..

MaizieD Wed 05-Jul-23 16:03:34

What struck me on recent threads on this theme is that a number of people said that leaving the EU hadn't made any difference to their lives.

In which case, would they notice if we went back in?

(It would certainly make a difference to those who have been adversely affected...)

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 16:05:59

I would also much prefer to rejoin, but we must take the majority of the country with us - and not cause such divisions as have been evident since 2016, although I do admit that lately it is more to do with populism and the right wing.

BlueBelle Wed 05-Jul-23 16:10:04

I m like you Norahvoted to stay, cried when we left would love to go back to rejoin but will it happen in my lifetime …. Doubtful… but for you younger guys, rejoice for me if it ever happens and I’m not around

pascal30 Wed 05-Jul-23 16:11:06

Whitewavemark2

I would also much prefer to rejoin, but we must take the majority of the country with us - and not cause such divisions as have been evident since 2016, although I do admit that lately it is more to do with populism and the right wing.

according to a recent Guardian article a survey shows 58% are in favour of rejoining.. possibly not enough yet.

Oreo Wed 05-Jul-23 16:15:14

I can’t see it happening.France never wanted us to join in the first place.
It would def mean the free movement of people and joining the Eurozone.
It happened and we need to get over it.